Apparatus for temporarily closing an opening formed at the top of vertical walls of a catch basin manhole or the like

ABSTRACT

DURING CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS AND THE INSTALLATION OF PUBLIC UTILITIES (E.G. STROM SEWERS, ELECTRIC, GAS AND TELEPHONE SERVICES), THE TOPS OF VERTICAL CONCRETE WALLS OF CATCH BASICS, SEWERS, MANHOLES ETC., OFTEN PROTRUDE ABOVE GROUND LEVEL. A FRAME OF A COVER ASSEMBLY IS FIXED TO THE TOP SURFACES OF THESE WALLS, THE FRAME HAVING A CENTRAL OPENING FOR RECEIVING A REMOVABLE COVER PORTION. APPRATUS FOR TEMPORARILY CLOSING THE OPENIG FORMED AT THE TOP OF THE VERTICAL WALLS IS DISCLOSED COMPRISING A PROTECTIVE MEMBER THAT IS FIXED BETWEEN THE TOPS OF THE WALLS AND THE FRAME IN A POSITION TO CLOSE THE WALL OPENING, THIS PROTECTIVE MEMBER HAVING A DISPLACEABLE CENTRAL PORTION FOR GAINING ACCESS TO THE WALL OPENING. THE MEMBER PREFEABLY HAS A PERIPHERAL PORTION THAT EMBRANCES THE TOPS AND SIDES OF THE WALLS TO ESTABLISH FIRM ENGAGEMENT THEREWITH TO RESIST LATERAL DISPLACEMENT THEREFROM. THE CENTRAL PORTION IS ALSO PREFERABLY RECESSED BELOW THE TOPS OF THE WALLS. THE MEM-   BER IS OF PLASTIC MATERIAL AND IN ONE EMBODIMENT, IS INITIALLY OF UNITARY CONSTRUCTION, THE CENTRAL PORTION WHEN IT IS TO BE DISPLACE, BEING CUT OUT FROM THE REMAINDER OF THE PROTECTIVE MEMBER. IN ANOTHER EMBODIMENT, THE CENTRAL PORTION IS HINGED TO THE REMAINDER THEREOF, WHILE IN A THIRD EMBODIMENT THE CENTRAL PORTION IS FORMED SEPRATE FROM THE REMAINDER THEREOF SO AS TO BE REMOVABLE AND REPLACEABLE. THE UPPER AND LOWER SURFACES OF THE PERIPHERAL PORTION ARE PREFERABLY RIBBED TO IMPROVE THE SEALING EFFECT WHEN THE MEMBER IS ATTACHED TO THE TOP SURFACES OF THE WALLS, AND THE FRAME IS THEN FIXED TO THE UPPER SURFACES OF THE PROTECTIVE MEMBER. THE MEMBER THUS SERVES TO PERMANENTLY SEAL THE EXPOSED TOPS OF THE WALLS OF THE CATH BASIN, AND ALSO CUSHIONS VIBRATION AND SHOCK BETWEEN THE IRON FRAME AND THE CONCRETE WALLS.

NOV. 23, 1971 A. MacMl DOWNES 3,621,623

APPARATUS FOR TEMPORARILY CLOSING AN OPENING FORMED AT THE TOP OF VERTICAL WALLS OF A CATCH BASIN, MANHOLE OR THE LIKE A Filed March 23, 1970 United States US. Cl. 52--20 11 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE During construction of roads and the installation of public' utilities (e.g. strom sewers, electric, gas and telephone services), the tops of vertical concrete walls of catch basins, sewers, manholes etc., often protrude above ground level. A frame of a cover assembly is fixed to the top surfaces of these walls, the frame having a central opening for receiving a removable cover portion. Apparatus for temporarily closing the opening formed at the top of the vertical walls is disclosed comprising a protective member that is fixed between the tops of the walls and the frame in a position to close the wall opening, this protective member having a displaceable central portion for gaining access to the wall opening. The member preferably has a peripheral portion that embraces the tops and sides of the walls to establish firm engagement therewith to resist lateral displacement therefrom. The central portion is also preferably recessed below the tops of the walls. The member is of plastic material and in one embodiment, is initially of unitary construction, the central portion when it is to be displaced, being cut out from the remainder of the protective member. In another embodiment, the central por tion is hinged to the remainder thereof, while in a third embodiment the central portion is formed separate from the remainder thereof so as to be removable and replace able. The upper and lower surfaces of the peripheral portion are preferably ribbed to improve the sealing effect when the member is attached to the top surfaces of the walls, and the frame is then fixed to the upper surfaces of the protective member. The member thus serves to permanently seal the exposed tops of the walls of the catch basin, and also cushions vibration and shock between the iron frame and the concrete walls.

This application is a continuation-in-part of United States patent application Ser. No. 816,278, filed Apr. 15, 1969, and now abandoned.

This invention relates to apparatus for temporarily closing an opening formed at the top of vertical walls of a catch basin, manhole or the like disposed at an exposed location at or above ground level.

During construction of roads and the installation of public utilities (e.g. storm sewers, electric, gas and telephone services), the tops of the concrete walls of catch basins, sewers, manholes etc., often protrude above ground level by about 1 foot to 6 feet. A frame of a cover assembly is fixed to the top surfaces of these walls, the frame having a central opening for receiving a removable cover portion. It has been found that road graders, bulldozers and other construction vehicles often dislodge the frame from the wall tops, and push sand, gravel and other construction debris into the catch basin. As a result, underground water or sewer lines, telephone or electric cable conduits, and valve chambers for water mains or gas utilities have been subject to clogging and/or damage from such debris, often necessitating expensive cleaning operaaten " ice tions or repairs when the construction work has been completed.

Prior to my invention, the only known solution to this problem has been the temporary placement of a piece of plywood or other material over the catch basin hole, or some similar crude and far from satisfactory technique. Because these crude arrangements are insecure and relatively flimsy, they represent an additional hazard to workmen, especially when concealed.

The invention is characterized by a protective member that is fixed between the tops of the walls and the frame in a position to close the wall opening, this protective member having a displaceable central portion for gaining access to the wall opening.

The preferred form of the invention is further characterized in that the protective member has a peripheral portion that embraces the tops and sides of the walls to establish firm engagement therewith to resist lateral displacement therefrom.

The central portion of the protective member is preferably recessed below the tops of the walls, so that the blade of a grader or bulldozer that might dislodge the cover assembly is prevented from tearing the central portion of the protective member and aborting the purpose of the apparatus.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the member is of plastic material and is initially of unitary construction, the central portion when it is to be displaced, being cut out from the remainder of the protective mernber. In another embodiment of the invention, the central portion of the protective member is hinged to the remainder thereof, while in a third embodiment the central portion of the protective member is formed separate from the remainder thereof so as to be removable and replaceable.

The upper and lower surfaces of the peripheral portion are preferably ribbed. This ribbing improves the sealing effect when the member is attached to the top surfaces of the walls of the catch basin, and the frame is then fixed to the upper surfaces of the protective member. Thus, the protective member serves to permanently seal the exposed tops of the walls of the catch basin, and also cushions vibration and shock between the iron frame and the concrete walls. This cushioning effect protects these walls from premature collapse, while the sealing effect retards. concrete disintegration resulting from penetration of salt or other corrosive materials.

One significant advantage of my invention is that the frame does not have to be removed when the protective member has served its temporary purpose of closing the wall opening of the catch basin. After final grading and asphalt work has been completed, a defined area of the central portion is displaced, the remainder of the protective member remaining sealed in place and continuing to serve as a cushion and sealant.

Preferred embodiments of my invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

H6. 1 shows a sectional view of a manhole with the apparatus of this invention in place;

FIG. 2 is a plan 'view of a circular-shaped protective member suitable for use with a manhole;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the protective member taken along line IIIIII of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing a rectangular-shaped protective member suitable for use with a typical catch basin;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the upper portion of FIG. 1, showing the cover portion of the cover asse bly separated from the frame portion;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a modified protective member showing a central portion that is separate from the remainder thereof, so as to be removable and replaceable;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a modified protective member of the type shown in FIG. 4, showing a central portion hinged to the remainder to the protective member; and

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a modified protective member showing a preferred location for cutting out the central portion from the remainder of the member.

Referring firstly to FIGS. 1 to 5, the apparatus comprises a protective member 10 of uniform thickness and initially of unitary construction. The member 10 is preferably made of heavy, tough die cast plastic material such as low-density polyethylene. The member 10 comprises a central, disc-like portion 11 and an annular peripheral portion 12 completely surrounding and supporting the central portion 11. The peripheral portion 12 has a top 13 extending parallel to the central portion 11 and spaced-apart walls 14 and 15 joined at right angles to the top 13 to define a generally U-shaped, inverted channel 16. The upper and lower surfaces of the top 13 are preferably ribbed, as shown at 17 and 18 respectively. A projection 19 extends upwardly and inwardly from the inner wall 14 toward the center of the member 10 for supporting the peripheral area of the central portion 11. I have found that this projection 19 increases the overall strength of the member 10. It is to be noted that the projection 19 is shallower than the wall 14 so that the central portion 11 is recessed below the top 13.

The circular construction of the member 10, shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, is suitable for placement over a circular manhole 20, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, whereas a rectangular member 10, having central and peripheral portions 11 and 12' as shown in FIG. 4, is suitable for placement over a typical catch basin having walls defining a rectangular upper opening.

As is conventional, the manhole 20 has vertical walls 21 that extend well below ground level 22. A conduit 22 is shown at the bottom of the manhole to represent an arrangement for housing a typical public utility installation, e.g. electrical cables. During construction of roads and/or the insullation of public utilities, the walls 21 of the manhole 20 will normally be disposed in an exposed location protruding above the ground level 22 by anything from about 1 foot to 6 feet, as depicted at 21'.

As best seen in FIG. 5, the protective member 10 is placed over the manhole 20 and the lower surface of its top 13 is attached, for example by an asphalt tar or a cement mixture 23, to the upper surfaces of the walls 21'. -A cover assembly 24 is then placed on top of the protective member 10, a frame portion 25 of the cover assembly 24 being fixed to the upper surface of the top 13 again using a sealant 23' of the kind mentioned above. A cover portion 26 is then placed in a central opening 25 of the frame 25.

It will be seen that, if the cover assembly 24 should become accidentally dislodged by the blade of a grader or bulldozer, the protective member 10 will remain in place so that the interior of the manhole will be protective from becoming clogged with debris. This result is ensured because the top 13 and the walls 14, 15 of the peripheral portion 12 of the member 10 embrace the tops and sides of the walls 21 of the manhole 20. To dislodge the protective member 10, a bulldozer would have to break away the concrete walls as well. The recess defined by the central portion 11 and the inner peripheral walls 14 serves as a cavity for catching any small pieces of debris that might be able to enter through air apertures 26' in the cover portion 26.

When the road or utility construction is completed and a final asphalt or other top surface has been applied to the road, the road surface will be level with the upper surface of the cover assembly 24 and the protective member 10 will have served its primary purpose of temporarily securely closing the opening leading to the interior of the manhole 20. The top surface of the central portion 11 can then be cleaned of any debris, and removed by cutting out by a knife or saw along the dotted line 27 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, or along the dotted line 27' shown in FIG. 4. A handle 28 or 28' is provided for ease of removal of the cut-out central portion 11 or 11.

Referring to FIG. 6, a modified protective member 30 is shown. A central portion 31 is constructed so as to be separate from a peripheral portion 32. Each portion contains interrupted threads 33 by which these portions can be engaged and disengaged by means of a half circumferential turn. It is to be understood that other. alternative forms of engagement enabling removal and replacement of the central portion 31 can be used.

FIG. 7 shows another protective member 40 modified so that a central portion 41 is hinged to the peripheral portion 42. In efiect, the central portion 41 is separated from the peripheral portion 42 for two sides and one end with the other end being of thinned material 45 to serve as the hinge. When access to the interior of the manhole is desired, the portion 41 is pushed down, a tongue and groove fit 43 snapping open due to the flexibility of the plastic material. The central portion 41 is shown in broken lines at 41 in its open position. An eyelet 44 is provided in the portion 41 so that a tool can be used to grasp the portion 41 and pull it up to close it. If a more secure connection between the portions 41 and 42 is desired, in order for example to be able to support the weight of a man, a more elaborate conventional looking arrangement can be employed. Similarly other known hinge designs can also be employed.

FIG. 8 shows another modification of a protective member of the general kind disclosed in FIG. 3. This member 50 has a sharply defined edge 53 between a central portion 51 having a rounded botom and a peripheral portion 52, at which edge the cut is to be made. Thus the cut is made essentially at the base of the inner walls 54 of the peripheral portion 52 to minimize narrowing of the original opening between the vertical walls of the manhole. Such a member is easy to clean and the edge 53 is quite accessible for making the cut.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for temporarily closing an opening formed at the top of vertical walls of a passage disposed at an exposed location above ground level, said passage leading to an underground public utility installation, comprising a cover assembly having a frame fixed to the tops of the walls, the frame having a central opening, and a removable cover portion for placement in the frame opening; a protective member fixed between the top of the walls and the grame in a position to close the wall opening, the protective member having a central portion and a peripheral portion, said peripheral portion permanently embracing the tops and sides of the walls to establish firm engagement therewith to resist lateral displacement therefrom, and said central portion being displaceable from said peripheral portion for gaining access to the wall opening.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the central portion of the protective member is recessed below the tops of the walls.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the protective member is of plastic material and is initially of unitary construction, the central portion containing markings to enable it to be cut out from the remainder of the protective member when it is to be displaced.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the central portion of the protective member is hinged to the remainder thereof.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the central portion of the protective member is a separate member so as to be removable and replaceable.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said memher is made of plastic, said peripheral and central portions are of uniform thickness, and the upper and lower sur faces of the top of said peripheral portion are ribbed to improve the fixing thereof to the frame and the wall tops respectively.

7. A protective member for use in temporarily closing an opening formed at the top of vertical Walls of a passage disposed at an exposed location above ground level, said passage leading to an underground public utility installation, said member including a central portion and a peripheral portion completely surrounding and supporting said central portion, said peripheral portion having a top extending parallel to, and spaced above, said central portion, and parallel, spaced-apart walls joined to said top at right angles thereto define a generally U-shaped inverted channel surrounding said central portion for embracing the tops and sides of said vertical walls, said central portion being displaceable from said peripheral portion for gaining access to said opening while leaving the peripheral portion in embracing contact with the tops and sides of said vertical walls.

8. A protective member as defined in claim 7, said member being of plastic material and initially of unitary construction, said central potrion containing markings to enable it to be cut out from the remainder of said member when displaced.

9. A protective member as defined in claim 7, said member being of plastic material, and said central portion being hinged to the remainder thereof.

10. A protective member as defined in claim 7, said member being of plastic material, and said central portion being a separate member so as to be removable and replaceable.

11. Apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein the upper and lower surfaces of the top of said peripheral portion are ribbed.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,520,230 12/1924 Flath 52 20 2,199,749 5/1940 Mazurie 13896 3,123,939 3/1964 Erickson 52100 X PRICE C. PAW, JR., Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 

